Carter questions Trump's immigration pivot after Miller chief of staff appointment
The Louisiana Democrat argues that promoting Stephen Miller undercuts the President's recent statements about working with Congress on the issue.
By Adriana Abebe ·
President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that he is prepared to collaborate with the incoming Democratic majority in Congress on immigration policy. This statement follows a concession made during a CBS interview the previous day, where Trump acknowledged that his current deportation enforcement may have been excessively harsh.
"I think it was too tough. I think it might be too tough, yeah," Trump told 60 Minutes. He clarified his position on Monday at the White House, asserting that his core policy remains focused on removing "the worst of the worst" from the country. He specifically cited the removal of individuals with criminal records who had been released from foreign prisons.
Rep. Troy Carter, a Democrat from Louisiana, reacted to these comments during an interview with FOX 8. Carter suggested that the President's sincerity is questionable because of a recent personnel decision. On Friday, Trump named Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. Carter described Miller as the architect of the administration's immigration strategy.
"Anytime the President rethinks himself, that’s a good thing. But clearly, he can’t mean it enough, because he doubled down by the architect of his failed immigration policy has now just been promoted to his chief of staff," Carter said. He questioned how much the President had learned from the recent electoral results, which he referred to as the blue wave.
Carter noted that local support for the President existed when the mission was strictly to remove violent criminals. However, he argued that recent ICE operations have been disruptive and often targeted lawful residents, including working people, children, and long-term community members. Carter stated that Democrats are willing to work with the President on anything if the administration is ready to do the right thing.
The Congressman outlined his ideal legislative framework, which includes a complete overhaul of the immigration system and the eradication of ICE as currently structured. He proposed a path to citizenship that avoids profiling based on appearance or accent. Mills, CEO of the Homebuilders Association of Greater New Orleans, also weighed in on the policy shift.
Mills said the association has long advocated for a path to compliance for productive workers who contribute to the local economy. He noted that the enforcement crackdown has reduced labor availability across construction, hospitality, and agriculture. His organization lobbied in Washington this spring for the Constructs Act and the Dignity Act to address these workforce shortages and secure legal immigration channels.
Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy did not respond to requests for comment regarding the President's latest statements and the appointment of Miller.
